Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints.

The scientific evidence

• 2025 Feb 10 Echinococcus granulosus' laminated layer immunomodulates nitric oxide, cytokines, and MMPs in PBMC from rheumatoid arthritis patients

• 2018 Dec 4 Helminth-based therapies for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• 2017 Apr Diminished IL-17A levels may protect filarial-infected individuals from development of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus -- Full text

• 2017 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27412603/ [Parasites in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Imminent Threat or Protective Effect?]

• 2016 Jun 26 Intestinal parasites infection: protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis? -- Full text | PDF

• 2016 Jun 8 Mice infected with a parasite show reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis -- Bob Yirka, Medical Xpress

• 2015 Apr From the worm to the pill, the parasitic worm product ES-62 raises new horizons in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis -- Full text | PDF

• 2014 Jul Lessons from helminth infections: ES-62 highlights new interventional approaches in rheumatoid arthritis -- Full text | PDF

• 2011 Aug 8 Impact of Schistosoma japonicum infection on collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice: a murine model of human rheumatoid arthritis -- Full text | PDF

• 2011 Impact of Schistosoma japonicum infection on collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice: a murine model of human rheumatoid arthritis -- Full text | PDF

• 2009 Mar Schistosoma mansoni infection reduces severity of collagen-induced arthritis via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators

The anecdotal evidence

For reports by individuals who have used helminthic therapy to treat rheumatoid arthritis, see:

• Personal stories: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Media Coverage

• 2016 Jul 5 Helminth Therapy in RA - Stephanie Pappas, Rheumatology Network

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits at the host’s expense. (The organisms used in helminthic therapy are, strictly speaking, not parasites, but mutualists, because they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their hosts.)

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.